Chicken meat and offal market in Congo

Earlier Report Observations

The chicken meat and offal market in Congo grew from 112 thousand tons in 2018 to 122 thousand tons in 2020, as the uncompetitive local poultry sector struggled with limited access to capital and essential inputs like animal feed and veterinary products. This structural weakness kept domestic production stagnant at around 6.7 thousand tons, making the country reliant on imported chicken. From 2019, exports of chicken meat from the European Union to the DRC nearly doubled, supplying affordable, mechanically deboned frozen brown meat that is popular for its low price, which fueled import growth.

Market volume continued its upward trajectory, reaching 146 thousand tons in 2021 and 160 thousand tons in 2022. The strong dependence on imported chicken, particularly from the EU, remained the primary driver of market expansion. In 2023, the market size jumped to 197 thousand tons, even as the government banned the commercialization of poultry meat from Poland over salmonella risks. This measure did not curb overall import growth, as European suppliers continued to offer competitively priced products.

In 2024, import volumes remained high at 175 thousand tons, supported by low European export prices that made chicken meat accessible. However, multiple taxes and the depreciation of the Congolese franc against the dollar led to rising retail prices in Kinshasa. The government implemented a price control mechanism for frozen chicken to halve its cost and planned direct sourcing from exporters to prevent shortages, while the sanitary ban on Polish poultry was upheld, reflecting ongoing efforts to manage market conditions.

Production chicken meat and offal in Congo

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

Congo's chicken meat and offal production saw a decline after two years of growth. In 2020, production reached 6 710 tonnes, marking a slight decrease of 0.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 2.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 6 749 tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 1.9% occurring that same year.

Annual dynamics of production in Congo in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports chicken meat and offal from Congo

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Congo's chicken meat and offal exports amounted to 0.2 thousand tonnes, representing a sharp decline of 75.3% compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Congo in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Turkey were the two primary export markets, together accounting for 100.0% of total export volumes.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of Congo's chicken meat and offal exports was recorded at 0.1 million US dollars, showing a dramatic decrease of 72.9% compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Congo in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were the leading destinations, together making up 100.0% of the total export value for chicken meat and offal from Congo.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Congo in value, 2017-2020

Imports chicken meat and offal to Congo

Imports in kind, K t

Congo imported 115.3 thousand tonnes of chicken meat and offal in 2020, reflecting a significant increase of 13.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 22.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 3.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Congo in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During 2017-2020, the United States (48.4% of import volumes), Turkey (13.0%), and Belgium (8.2%) were the key partners for Congo's chicken meat and offal imports, collectively representing 69.6% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Congo's chicken meat and offal import value stood at 109.9 million US dollars, indicating a modest rise of 7.5% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 7.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 102.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 1.4% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Congo in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (44.3% of import value), Turkey (14.1%), and Belgium (8.9%) were the main suppliers of chicken meat and offal to Congo, together accounting for 67.3% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Congo in value, 2017-2020